About the Author

Author Picture

Amanda Merck

Merck completed her MPH with a concentration in Physical Activity and Health. She curates content for Salud America! (@SaludAmerica), a Latino childhood obesity prevention project based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She focuses on the latest research, resources, and stories related to policy, systems, and environmental changes to enhance equitable access to safe places for kids and families to walk, bike, and play.

Connect with Amanda:
Twitter Link

Articles by Amanda Merck

Report: Obesity, Diabetes Are Biggest Health Threats in South Texas



Diabetes and obesity are the two most significant health threats in South Texas, according to a new report published online in Springer Open Books by the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) in the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The South Texas Health Status Review, originally self-published in 2008, was updated this year to study more than 35 health conditions and risk factors and how people in South Texas may be differently affected than those in the rest of Texas or nation. The Review, in addition to singling out diabetes and obesity, also indicates that the South Texas region faces higher rates than the rest of Texas or nation for: Cervical, liver, stomach and gallbladder cancers Child and adolescent ...

Read More

Poll: Hispanic Adults Rate Childhood Obesity as Top Health Concern for Kids



More Hispanic adults (47%) than white adults (39%) rate childhood obesity as the leading health concern for children in their communities, according to the latest annual poll by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. Overall, childhood obesity is the leading concern of all parents. However, the poll reflects markedly varied perspectives about child health concerns by race/ethnicity: Hispanic adults are more likely than black or white adults to express concerns about bullying and alcohol abuse. Black adults express greater concerns about teen pregnancy. Hispanics didn't rate teen pregnancy in their Top-10 concerns. Both blacks and Hispanics express greater concern than whites about school violence. "Such differences of perspective likely ...

Read More

Research: Latino Kids Are a Top Target of Junk Food Ads



Food and beverage marketers increasingly target Latino kids because of their increasing population size, media exposure and spending power. Much of this kid-focused advertising is for unhealthy foods, studies show. But additional industry self-regulation and governmental regulation—stimulated by community awareness and action—can help limit the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to Latino kids, according to a new package of research materials from Salud America! The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Research Network to Prevent Obesity Among Latino Children. Download the new Salud America! "Healthier Marketing & Latino Kids" research materials, which include a research review of the latest science, an original animated video, and an infographic. Latino kids ...

Read More

Video: Healthier Marketing and Latino Kids



Check out this cool new animated video on why its critical to reduce unhealthy food and beverage marketing to Latino kids. The video, which is part of a new Salud America! “Healthier Marketing and Latino Kids” package of research, which also contains a research review, issue brief and infographic, can be found here. Research suggests that food marketers increasingly target Latino kids because of their increasing population size, media exposure and spending power. But additional industry self-regulation and governmental regulation—stimulated by community awareness and action—can help limit the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to Latino ...

Read More

Infographic: Healthier Marketing & Latino Kids



Check out this cool infographic on the need to reduce unhealthy food marketing to Latino kids. The infographic, which is part of a new Salud America! “Healthier Marketing and Latino Kids” package of research, which also contains a research review, issue brief and animated video, can be found ...

Read More

Study: Program Helps Latino Families Eat More Fruits, Drink Less Sugary Beverages



A successful program that increased the number of fruits and vegetables eaten and decreased sugary drink consumption by 50 percent among Latino children had two secret weapons, according to a new study. The first strategy is family values and togetherness. The second guiding principle was "mas y menos"—a little more, a little less. "Interventions often fail because their goals are too lofty. If someone tells me that ice cream is the root of my problem and I can't eat any more of it, I'll be disheartened and say I can't do this," said Angela Wiley, a professor of applied family studies at University of Illinois. "If someone says, would you be willing to eat ice cream two days a week instead of five, or eat light ice cream instead, I would be more willing to try." In Wiley's ...

Read More

Latinos Promote Health on National Youth Advisory Board



The Alliance for a Healthier Generation recently announced the roster for its Youth Advisory Board, one of the only youth-led advisory groups in the country focused on childhood obesity issues. These youths, which include several Latinos, play an integral role in advising and providing a youth perspective to the Alliance as it strives to encourage young people across the nation to make healthy choices. Board members also serve as national spokespeople for the Alliance speaking at local and national events, interviewing with journalists and health-education experts, engaging with community leaders, and addressing their peers. Each board member also must start healthy changes in their own neighborhoods and school districts by engaging in service-learning programs in their ...

Read More

Infographic: Latino Food Purchases Driven by Emotional Values



While acculturation may have a significant impact on the diet of the millions of Hispanics in the country, new data shows that the family experience is still what drives most of the Latino food purchases and choices, Saludify reports. The report is based on data from a Multi-Cultural Latino Consumer study. View more about the study and see an ...

Read More

Report: Hispanic Millennials Are Choosing Healthier Drinks



So-called "Hispanic millennials" are shifting their drink preferences in a healthier direction, according to a report. The report by Tr3s indicated that these Hispanic millennials, generally young adults ages 18-29, drink more non-alcoholic beverages on average than their non-Hispanic peers. And they often choose drinks based on health and nutritional value. For example: Hispanic millennials are monitoring their health by choosing drinks with less fat, such as 2%, 1%, or skim milk. Also, 60% claim to drink fewer sugary drinks. And when making healthy choices when grocery shopping, 1 in 6 are buying organic meat fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. But nutritional value isn't the only factor. Hispanic millenials also make choices based on popularity among ...

Read More